Economy tough on Marion Saddle Club

Sunday

Feb 10, 2013 at 9:21 PM

The last few years were tough on one of the oldest horse clubs in Marion County, but the organization vows to continue its nearly 55-year mission of providing a place where beginning riders can compete.

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

The last few years were tough on one of the oldest horse clubs in Marion County, but the organization vows to continue its nearly 55-year mission of providing a place where beginning riders can compete.

The Marion Saddle Club started in 1958 and helped nurture a burgeoning horse culture in the area. The local thoroughbred industry was just starting to get national attention and the show initially offered shows for saddlebred and western riders and hunter/jumper competitors.

Throughout its history, the shows were attended by younger, local or nearby riders new to the disciplines.

“I think it’s extremely important to have the shows. It gives people a place to start out. It’s a lot easier to show locally if you have an unrecognized horse. You don’t have the big shipping fees. It’s just a good way to get started,” said Margaret Wallace, who has been involved with the club since 1965.

Wallace ran a riding school in Marion County from 1965 until she retired in 1996. She still attends every saddle club show to present an award named in her honor.

“The economy has hurt somewhat. People who show here are not usually the very wealthy people. Hopefully, as thing get better it will pick up,” Wallace said.

The club has seen its membership drop to fewer than 100 from a high of about 200, and this year it will hold three shows instead of the five it held last year, said Debby Gibson, president of the club.

“It’s just like everyone else with the economy, but we’re not going away. We are one of the only not-for-profit shows in the area. We need some sponsors and more participants,” she said. “The exhibitors that go to HITS, they don’t need our horse show to get their horses ready. We appeal to the less experienced riders. But its almost like there’s no new blood coming in.”

That was not always the case. In the 1970s, the club limited its shows to hunter/jumper disciplines only and even expanded to two days of competition.

Hunter competitions are heavily judged on the horse. It is a subjective discipline where a horse’s gait and flow over the fences are what count. Jumpers, however, are judged on how many fences they clear without committing a fault, like knocking down part of a fence. The horse with the fewest faults and the fastest time around the course wins. Jumpers are more about the team of horse and rider.

The show began attracting dozens of competitors from local riding schools, but the popularity of the disciplines began part of the problem for the club.

“Horse shows starting popping up all over. People started trying to make money off of it. It’s hard for us to schedule something on a weekend when there isn’t something else going on,” Gibson said.

She said the club’s limited resources don’t allow them to advertise and they rely on word of mouth and social media.

But the biggest blow came after the economy nearly collapsed in 2008. Many people cut back on recreational expenses including horse riding.

“Everyone is trying to stay in the game and keep going,” Gibson said.

The first of the club’s three shows this year is tentatively scheduled for May 4, the same day as the Kentucky Derby. They hope to make it a Derby-themed event.

“We are going to try to make it more fun for the exhibitors and their parents,” Gibson said.